Anyone with experience on 2003 Jaguar X-Type?

[dgreen]

My sister is looking at purchasing on '03 X-type: 2.5 liter, 6 cyl., auto trans, 4 door. The car has 34K and was leased until November 15, 2006. She would use the car for personal commuting and for regional work travel. Since she is not married, I perform routine maintenance on her vehicle (fluid changes, other consumables, light repair).

Can anyone give me your experience with this model as far as reliability, availability and cost of consumable parts (relative to US cars), and ease of DIY maintenance? I have not seen this car in person yet. I would like to hear some comments before seeing it since it is located out of town. Thanks.

 

[JustinH]

In my experience, I sell used auto parts, and we have sold alot of diffs for the jag x types. Especialy with the AWD ones. I have also sold a few manual transmissions, but haven't heard much about the automatic.

 

[Norm Olt]

IMHO there are MANY better choices for an off-lease car.


Run away from this potential money-pit unless her boyfriend owns the Jaguar Dealership.

Cheers!

 

[dgreen]

Thanks for the opinions. I did find a jag forum on the net. Several owners complained of failed transfer cases on the AWD models - apparently the unit is sealed, holds a 1/2 liter of fluid, and has a tendency to leak. Also several complaints of problems at 30K miles - not a good indicator.

 

[m2200b]

The only choice worse for her would be to buy a used Rover off lease. Virtually any other car she looks at will deliver more dependable miles and less depreciation by the time she decides to sell it after cosltly repairs.

 

[Win]

My sister has a 2004 that she bought new.

The best place to ask questions about the X type would be the X type forum at Jag Lovers dot org.

My sister's has been mostly problem free, but did have a complete transmission replacement at 30K. AFAIK, the big trouble spot on these little cars has been the automatic transmission. Two different suppliers have been used - Jatco and Aisin Warner and both seem to have been inadequate. I don't think I would buy an off lease X type without the factory warranty or select edition Jaguar used car warranty in place because of the possibility of an expensive transmission issue.

I have had quite a few Jaguars, and do most of my own work after they are out of warranty. They are very easy cars to work on, but working on British cars is not necessarily like working on a Chevy. It's not hard, but they do a lot of things differently.

 

[m2200b]

Consumer Reports based on owner surveys
Jaguar X-Type Sedan - 93% worse than average

 

[dgreen]

Thanks for the opinions - I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to try and talk her out of this one. How ironic - just a few weeks ago I was talking her out of buying an off lease Land Rover for the same reasons.

 

[Steve S]

Quote:

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IMHO there are MANY better choices for an off-lease car.


Run away from this potential money-pit unless her boyfriend owns the Jaguar Dealership.

Cheers!

---

 

[gtx510]

Would calling it a Ford/Mazda product help your decision?

 

[Norm Olt]

"Would calling it a Ford/Mazda product help your decision?"

Good Luck! getting any service at a Ford or Mazda dealership other than an oil change!

Maybe they would do a Coolant Flush, a Brake System Flush, a Fuel Injection Cleaning & a Transmission Flush...

For about $400 or so?

Cheers!

 

[gtx510]

They wouldn't service it but you could buy parts for it at a Ford/Mazda dealer if you knew what to look for.
It's a Ford chassis with a Ford(/Mazda) engine and Ford (Getrag?) transmission (MTX75). The intake manifold (and SVT?) is uniquely Jag...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_X-Type

Jag AJ25 = Duratec 25
Jag AJ30 = Ford Duratec 30 = Mazda MZI 3.0L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_AJ-V6_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Duratec_engine#Duratec_25
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cyclone_engine

Honestly, I think the Ford Duratec 25 uses roller rockers (Contour engine). I'd bet that the Jag AJ25 is really the newer Mazda MPV engine and that it uses "DAMB's", direct acting mechanical buckets (cam followers, lifters, tappets, etc).